wine education

“Ask Our Educator” is one of my favorite website features because people write in with all kinds of wine-related questions and sometimes we get a real conversation going! In episode 57 (December 2007) we covered questions about screwcaps, sulfites and more. Since then you’ve had questions about decanting, how to buy a good wine glass, […]

Question from Susan: We have a friend who claims that she can only drink French reds because California reds have more nitrates/nitrites and give her headaches. Is this possible or is it a bit of wine snobbery? Reply: Hi, Susan! Thanks for writing! I think your friend must have meant sulfites rather than nitrites. I’m […]

Our Harvest Calendar tells the story. September brought us a few blasts of heat and the grapes came rolling in at a fairly rapid fire. The bad news: It’s exhausting to have so many burners going at once. The good news: A lot of the really hard work is behind us, now, so we begin […]

The Cabernet, here at the winery, tastes about as sweet as table grapes right now (between 15 and 20% sugar) and we’re about a week out from harvesting our first grapes of the season next week. The Chenin Blanc will probably come in over Labor Day weekend. With the warm weather we’re having right now, […]

Did you know that the word “gourmet” referred to a lover of wine long before it had anything to do with food? Or that the word “libation” originally meant an offering to the gods? If you love wine and you love words, this episode is for you! In this phone interview, etymologist Charles Hodgson, the […]

In episode 80, Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, took a broad look at the world of sweet and fortified wines. The episodes that follow, like this one, break it out by category. Today’s topic is the deliciously odd world of Madeira. Each of these podcasts regarding sweet wines will be released, on a […]

Topping up barrels is a year-round necessity, if somewhat mind numbing. I suppose it’s a great opportunity to run through the entire play list on your ipod or hear your co-worker’s life story… The great thing about barrels is that they let the wine evaporate, which causes the evolution we treasure. The bad thing about […]

Question from Linda: I am still confused. Is white zinfandel considered a red wine and does it have the benefits I keep reading about red wine? Reply: Hi, Linda. Thanks for writing! It seems that confusion about white/red Zin is extremely common, as I look through our “Ask the Educator” archives! So, here goes: Even […]

2008 has been a great reminder that every year isn’t the same here in Napa Valley. Nancy Hawks Miller, our Director of Education, is here to tell you all about this very interesting and challenging vintage.